Blues group plans gig for Operation Sunshine

The Mohawk Valley Blues Society decided to take another crack at donating to Operation Sunshine.

ANGELICA A. MORRISON

The Mohawk Valley Blues Society decided to take another crack at donating to Operation Sunshine.

After rainy weather in August foiled the society's plans to give to the charity through the Mohawk Valley Blues Festival, the group now has planned The Holiday Jam.

It will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Devereux on Devereux Street in downtown Utica.

Money raised will go toward the Observer-Dispatch's goal to raise $75,000 to help provide Christmas presents to area children in need. So far, $30,867 has been raised.

“Every December we have a Holiday Jam and we select different charities for the event. This time we chose Operation Sunshine, said Brian Cornish, chairman of the board for the Mohawk Valley Blues Society.

The host band for the upcoming event will be Al Nathan and the Bluestreak.

“It's a good time. There should be a lot of people there,” said Al Nathan, the band's vocalist and keyboardist. “We play for about an hour, and we invite other performers to play.”

Operation Sunshine agencies this year are as follows: The Rescue Mission of Utica, Catholic Charities of Utica, Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, and the Salvation Army of Utica.

The Operation Sunshine hot line is open through Wednesday, Dec. 10. The number is 732-2379.